COPTIC AT BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 21088, 21 May 1930, Page 2

COPTIC AT BLUFF

A FINE MOTOR VESSEL. FAST VOYAGE FROM LONDON. With the arrival at the port on yesterday morning’s tide of the Coptic, Bluff has now been visited by all of a series of four firstclass motor ships engaged by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, for the London-New Zealand trade. The Zealandic, Taranaki and Karamea have all called at Bluff in the past and the series is now completed by the arrival of the Coptic. The vessel en route from London direct to Bluff via Panama, arrived off the hill on Monday afternoon, but as the weather was too rough in the evening did not berth until after eight o’clock yesterday morning. The voyage out occupied 33 days 2 —one of the fastest passages made by a motor vessel. Of the flush deck type with a short squat funnel which gives her the appearance of considerable power which in reality she possesses, the Coptic during her short stay at Bluff is sure to attract much attention. For their class she and her sister ships are the highest-powered vessels afloat. The Coptic’s two six-cylinder units of the Wallsend Sulzer single-acting two stroke type, are each designed to develop 3725 b.h.p. These engines are the largest of the Sulzer type. contructed in Great Britain for installation in ships. For the supply of the required amount of the electric power, four Mirelees, Bickerton and Day four-cycle single : actjng Diesel engines, each of 400 b.h.p. and coupled to Sunderland forge dynamos of 275 k.w. are installed. Cargo is handled by 20 silent electric winches and there are six holds which, together with other spacious decks, are utilized for general cargo. Her refrigerated space totals 404,000 cubic feet, and she can carry 135,187 carcasses of mutton. The ’tween decks are fitted for the carriage of fruit and cheese with five Sirocco fans to circulate the cool air. Electrical auxiliaries are utilized throughout the ship. The Coptic’s hatches, vary in size from 16ft. 6in up to 27ft 6in by l r ft Gin. square. Each hatch is splendidly equipped witH the latest gear for the efficient and expeditious handling of cargo. The Coptic has four two-berth staterooms which, when required, can be converted into three-berth cabins. They arc spacious and are handsomely fitted up with electrical appliances. A large smoking lounge is also provided for passengers. The dining saloon is bright and tastefully lighted and decorated. All the accommodation of the ship is heated ’ — means of electro-vap-our radiators. The passenger accommodation is situated on the forward end of the bridge deck. The captain’s quarters arc most artistically furnished and the officers’ cabins are in keeping, situated on the deck below’ the wireless room. The officers have a smoke-room provided for them. The engineers have their Quarters on either side of the engine room. The crew’s quarters under the forecastle are provided with all conveniences, including baths. Only one radio operator is carried as an automatic alarm apparatus is installed. In the absence of the operator from the radio room it gives the alarm in the navigation room and in the operator’s cabin. The galley is an interesting feature of the ship, possessing an electric oven with a steam cooker for baking bread and cakes. The large stove is heated by oil burners and there are a host of labour-saving appliances. Most motor ships carry their oil supply in a double bottom, but the Ce-' : c carries her oil in tanks built around the engineroom. . The Coptic is scheduled to sail again tomorrow for Timaru in continuation of her London loading.